Boosting Views With Facebook
Competing For Eyeballs In The Meme Pool
As new writers on Medium may have discovered, getting views for carefully crafted articles can be a challenge.
The sad lesson may be, that as with so much in life, there is a significant “first mover advantage” in favour of the status quo: you may be born or get lucky, and just as success breeds success, so the opposite can be the case.
In the biological gene pool there is a struggle for survival of the fittest, the same applies in the cultural meme pool. Unless you get lucky, success is down to hard work.
(As a separate read, you may be interesting in the fascinating origins of the word “meme” itself —
Nothing to lose but our chains
We either sit back and accept our lot, or we set ourselves the challenge to break out of the chains of the established order, and make our own way to success.
Personally I dislike the element of competition involved, and always prefer collaboration when there is an option, but it is the way of the world. Similarly self-promotion may not be comfortable but if no-one reads what we write it can seem a bit empty.
So assuming that our articles are not getting the attention they so clearly deserve, how to break out of the status quo straight-jacket?
Be engaging
One of the routes to master Medium that is frequently recommended is to engage with other writers. This is a lovely feature of the platform, making it a pleasing combination of social media, news and views, and the need for mutual support encourages friendly interaction. This story tells more — write, follow, clap, comment, highlight, repeat —
Social media
This makes a lot of sense and there is a platform plethora to pick from. This article considers some of the largest and best Facebook groups for writers.
A note of caution
A couple of things are worth noting here.
Medium members are the best — You already knew that, but the serious point is, that you can only actually earn from the reading time of paid-up Medium members, so the groups of greatest value are those specifically aimed at members of this platform. Unless of course you are one of the true believers in that mythical best, the referred member unicorn. Perhaps if we believe in them enough they might really exist.
No article dumping — it is only good manners to read the group rules , abide by the etiquette, and not just to “dump” links to your articles in these groups, which I am sure you wouldn’t do.
Try to get a feel for the group before joining in, and only share links to your articles that will be of genuine support, use, or interest to the members of the group, also to read, clap and comment on links posted by other members, and be a good group member who contributes as well as extracts value.
The groups sizes are current at the time of writing, February 2023.
Facebook groups aimed at Medium members
I will consider these first as they are probably the most valuable. This list aims to identify some of the larger groups.
Medium Writers and Genuine Readers
Size: 11.2K
Target membership: members of Medium who will genuinely read the work of others
Medium Writers — for writers on Medium to share ideas.
Size: 6.5K
Target membership: general
The Medium Writers and Vocal Creators Support Group
Size: 3.3K
Target membership: creators on “Vocal”, and writers on Medium
Size: 15.9K
Target membership — general
Size: 1.5K
Target membership — poets as well as general writers
Medium authors and writers community — for the sharing of great articles.
Size: 1.4K
Target membership — general
Size: 1.2K
Target membership — general
Medium writers support and marketing-to build a following and get support.
Size: 2.6K
Target membership: general
Size: 2.2K
Target membership: general
General Facebook groups for writers
Introduction
The thing to remember with these groups is that many won’t consist of Medium members, so earnings may be limited, unless you get some referred new members to Medium by sharing your link, but it is a good way of getting your work out to a wider audience, connecting with other writers, and getting advice and support.
Writers Helping Writers-a huge group and well worth joining, for support and networking, with lots of activity and discussion.
Size: 343.5K
Target membership: all writers wanting to be in a community to support each other
Aspiring Writers United — offers editing tips, writing advice and coaching for publishing success for readers and aspiring authors.
Size: 120K
Target membership: general writers
Writers Group: Learn, Support, Connect — a collaborative and supportive community to ask questions, share tips and ideas, and communicate online, welcoming any posts relevant to the craft of writing.
Size: 12.2K
Target membership: writers on any subject, niche or genre, all welcome
Size: 274K
Target membership — general writers offering encouragement and somewhere to share links
To help writers create, connect and earn.
Size: 34.7K
Target membership: general writers from all genres and interests.
Self-Publishing School Author Success Collective Actively discourages self-promotion so not just for posting your links, they host themed challenges. A quirky group that says it aims to help authors to write and publish best-selling high-quality books. Asks for your email so may be more about building their business.
Size: 6.4K
Target membership : general
Writers Assembled — for writers to connect and support each other, encourages members to discuss writing and publishing, share resources, and practice using different kinds of exercises and contests.
Size: 13.7K
Target membership: general
20BooksTo50K — for independent authors seeking more sales, so includes marketing, release strategies, price, and everything on the business side of writing.
Size: 68.6K
Target membership: For those wanting to make a living from writing through self-publishing.
Writing Bad Aiming to encourage writers of all abilities to become better at the craft, in a welcoming and friendly environment — an active group which is well moderated.
Size: 14.4K
Target membership: Writers wanting to improve the quality of our work.
Fiction Writing — a huge well-moderated group all about fiction writing/publishing — outlining, editing, formatting, artwork.
.Size: 146.1K
Target membership: Like it says on the tin: fiction writers.
Inner Circle Writers’ Group caters for a wide variety of writers, new and established writers who share a passion and want to connect, with lots of resources.
Size: 10.8K
Target membership: Any writers wanting a supportive community.
Becoming a Blogger — networking for bloggers wanting to earn, with lots of resources and information.
Size: 36.9K
Target membership: bloggers wanting support and to learn how to monetise their blog.
Fanfiction Writers United — for people who like writing stories based on existing literature, for all levels and covers some wider fiction as well.
Size: 5.5K
Target membership: for lovers of fan-fiction
What’s Your Plan B? — journalists who have left or who may be leaving the profession, offers support and ideas on how to survive and thrive.
Size: 17.7K
Target membership: Journalists planning a career change.
Ask A Book Editor — for those seeking advice from seasoned editors, proof-readers, and copy writers.
Size: 11.5K
Target membership: for those seeking advice from the experts.
Beta Readers and Critique Partners — for constructive critique of your efforts in any genre, and to comment on the work of other writers.
Size: 25.8K
Target membership: For writers wanting feedback on a final draft.
Calls for Submissions- for writers of poetry, fiction and art only, it offers opportunities to publish your work.
Size: 69.8K
Target membership: writers of poetry, fiction and art only.
A recommended group for female writers of all experience levels and genres, offering support and advice on a wide range of issues.
Size: 19.4k
Target membership: all women writers
The Aspiring Travel Writer — this group is run by podcaster and blogger Alexa Williams Meisler of “Break Into Travel Writing”, to answer questions and provide support to everyone in the travel blogging world. They have one day set aside for self-promotion (Fridays!).
Size: 8K
Target membership: Travel bloggers/writers
NanoLand — a support and motivation group focused on National Novel Writing Month held every November, also known as NaNoWriMo — the aim of the event is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, so quite a challenge!
Size: 21.4K
Target membership: For writers wanting to participate in NaNoWriMo or other writing challenges.
A good group of independent writers, mainly focused on fiction, aiming to offer advice and support, and help new authors communicate.
Size: 11.8k
Target membership: Independent authors and self-publishers
A well-moderated group for all independent authors and writers.
Size: 8.6k
Target membership: independent writers
Fantasy & Science Fiction Writers — this group has lots of resources and support, but only focused on these genres, and you can publish extracts for constructive criticism from other members.
Size: 8.2K
Target membership: Writers with a love for fantasy and science fiction.
The Cult of Copy — a quirky group for experienced copywriters, not really for beginners though they are welcomed, and definitely not a group to spam with your links, though they some interesting discussions between established writers.
Size: 39.6K
Target membership: Copywriters looking to join an active and fun community.
The Freelance Content Marketing Writer — this group was created by Jennifer Goforth Gregory, an author who has a book with the same name as the group. It is aimed at content marketing authors, mainly those from journalism, freelances, or in digital marketing, with advice and support on being successful and getting paid for your work.
Size: 7.6K
Target membership: content writers
Pat’s First Kindle Book (From Start to Finish) -
Another quirky group by a successful blogger Pat Flynn all about her experience and how to publish on Kindle.
Size: 15.8K
Target membership: writers wanting to publish on Kindle
10 Minute Novelists Group Aimed at writers who are pushed for time, a very supportive group.
Size: 16.5K
Target membership: Time-poor writers
Word Nerds Unite A lively fun group run by Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA, a self-taught alternative to a master’s in writing.
Size: 10.1K
Target membership: Writers wanting improve their craft.
This group is good for those seeking publication opportunities and collects submission calls for poetry, fiction and art and presents them in one place.
Size: 69.5k
Target membership: Those looking for submission opportunities
Journey Feed Blogging Community Fairly small group aimed at bloggers on all platforms, that was founded by blogger Edwin Covarrubias, good to share ideas, get support, and promote your blog to a wider audience.
Size: 4.9k
Target membership: bloggers on all platforms
Blogging Boost Aimed at bloggers on all plaforms, this group provides support, advice, and resources.
Size: 32.9k
Target membership: Bloggers on all platforms
Write On! Online This group that started at a Barnes & Noble event 2002, and aims to provide a very supportive environment offering advice and motivation.
Size: 2.9k
Target membership: general
Writers Write — A compendium of writing resources and ideas for articles and book though less discussion than some group, more news from the writing world.
Size: 30.4k
Target membership: general writers
Writers World — a place to get honest critique of your work
Size: 7.8k
Target membership: aimed at serious writers who want to improve.
Writers of Non-fiction- for motivation, support and inspiration for all non-fiction writers of any kind, with resources, critique and discussion to help you succeed in this genre.
Size: 6.5K
Target membership: For non-fiction writers only.
The Content Marketing Lounge — as the name of the group says, it is for those wanting to share ideas, best practice, and advice in this field.
Size: 8K
Target membership: specifically for writers involved in content marketing.
The Freelance Content Marketing Writer — this group was created by Jennifer Goforth Gregory, an author who has a book with the same name as the group. It is aimed at content marketing authors, mainly those from journalism, freelances, or in digital marketing, with advice and support on being successful and getting paid for your work.
Size: 7.6K
Target membership: content writers
Pat’s First Kindle Book (From Start to Finish) -
Another quirky group by a successful blogger Pat Flynn all about her experience and how to publish on Kindle.
Size: 15.8K
Target membership: writers wanting to publish on Kindle
Aimed at writers who are pushed for time, a very supportive group.
Size: 16.5K
Target membership: Time-poor writers
Word Nerds Unite A lively fun group run by Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA, a self-taught alternative to a master’s in writing.
Size: 10.1K
Target membership: Writers wanting improve their craft.
This group is good for those seeking publication opportunities and collects submission calls for poetry, fiction and art and presents them in one place.
Size: 69.5k
Target membership: Those looking for submission opportunities
Journey Feed Blogging Community
Fairly small group aimed at bloggers on all platforms, that was founded by blogger Edwin Covarrubias, good to share ideas, get support, and promote your blog to a wider audience.
Size: 4.9k
Target membership: bloggers on all platforms
Aimed at bloggers on all plaforms, this group provides support, advice, and resources.
Size: 32.9k
Target membership: Bloggers on all platforms
This group that started at a Barnes & Noble event 2002, and aims to provide a very supportive environment offering advice and motivation.
Size: 2.9k
Target membership: general
Writers Write A compendium of writing resources and ideas for articles and book though less discussion than some groups, more news from the writing world.
Size: 30.4k
Target membership: general writers
Writers World A place to get honest critique of your efforts, though can be rather brutal feedback. If you can handle this then can be useful to improve your work.
Size: 7.8k
Target membership: aimed at serious writers who want to improve.
Writers of Non-fiction- for motivation, support and inspiration for all non-fiction writers of any kind, with resources, critique and discussion to help you succeed in this genre.
Size: 6.5K
Target membership: For non-fiction writers only.
The Content Marketing Lounge — as the name of the group says, it is for those wanting to share ideas, best practice, and advice in this field.
Size: 8K
Target membership: specifically for writers involved in content marketing.
Conclusion
I hope this article has been useful, and helps you get your work out to a wider audience.
To join a new Facebook group “Medium Matters” where writers can support each other and share articles.
